Australian freestyle motocross star Josh Sheehan wins world title in South Africa

Mark Worley

Most sporting champions can tell a tale of overcoming adversary to achieve their goals, but not many have ever done it as fast as Australian freestyle motocross star Josh Sheehan.

Seconds into his final run at the Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour tour final in Pretoria, South Africa, on Saturday, Sheehan's hopes looked lost, as he failed to complete one of his high-flying manoeuvres.

Just a few seconds later, however, the 28-year-old best known as "Sheeny" pulled off his signature double backflip - considered the most dangerous trick to complete - to ensure he took out both the event and the overall world championship.

Winner: Josh Sheehan. Photo: Supplied

"I've been wanting this for years, and it's a dream come true," Sheehan said, after celebrating his win in front of more than 20,000 spectators.

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"I'm on top of the world."

Sheehan, who hails from a farm in Donnybrook, around 200 kilometres south of Perth, took out the world title from New Zealand's Levi Sherwood, who had led the standings for most of the season.

Record leap: Josh Sheehan shows the form that won him the world title. Photo: Supplied

Sherwood suffered an ankle injury earlier at the event in Pretoria, preventing him from challenging Sheehan for the title.

Spanish rider Dany Torres finished second in Pretoria, helping him lock in third place in the overall world tour standings.

Fellow Australian Rob Adelberg did not compete in South Africa, but still finished eighth in the overall world standings.

Australian Clinton Moore finished sixth in Saturday's event to claim ninth place overall.